Net profit rose to 1.46 billion euros ($2 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2013, the company's fiscal first. That was up from 1.21 billion euros a year ago.

Last year the company had 116 million euros in charges connected to delay in production of trains for Germany's railway company, and a 150 million euro loss at its solar power business. This year's figure also had stronger gains for real estate sales.

But while the bottom line improved, a stronger euro and slower demand in emerging markets hurt top-line revenues. They were down 3 percent at 17.325 billion euros.

Orders — a key determiner of future profits — rose 9 percent. Saudi Arabia helped with a 1.6 billion euro order for two driverless subway lines in the capital, Riyadh.

CEO Joe Kaeser called it a "sound quarter," adding that "market conditions were not in our favor."

The Munich-based company also said it was withdrawing its listing on the New York Stock Exchange. It says the U.S. accounted for less than 5 percent of its global trading volume and that ending the listing would simplify financial reporting. Siemens has traded as ADRs, or American Depositary Receipts.